JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng Housing and Local Government MEC Humphrey Mmemezi on Sunday lashed out at the media, saying reports are being used to form part of a smear campaign against him.

Calls for Mmemezi's resignation have grown, following another financial mismanagement scandal.

It is claimed the MEC used more than R200 million allocated for housing development to install a closed-circuit television system at his private home and work offices.

But he said the expenditure was a matter handled by administrators in his department.

On Sunday, Mmemezi slammed journalists for not scrutinising information they received from his “detractors”. And he said although he was hurt by the allegations, they would not prevent him from building houses for the people of Gauteng.

“My work must always speak for itself."

He said time will tell if the allegations against him are part of a smear campaign to discredit him.

The embattled MEC is currently being investigated by the Gauteng provincial legislature's integrity commission for the alleged misuse of his official credit card.

In June, it emerged Mmemezi bought a painting for R10,000 through a McDonalds outlet.

The MEC defended the purchase, saying it was for his office and not for his personal gratification.

Meanwhile, The Star reported on Monday that Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane plans to fire Mmemezi when she returns from a trip to China. The paper said he would be sacked before the end of July.